Kiwi NRL Stocks Round 23
Stocks Up
Jordan Kahu - The ease in which Kahu goes about his business on the wing for the Broncos is the first thing that strikes you as he never looks flustered and could arguably be the most chill NRL player. Kahu had another solid game against the Dragons with a try, 130 metres and a couple tackle busts as well.
Adam Blair - Wayne Bennett must love Blair and we are starting to see exactly why as Blair played a starring role in the Broncos' big win over the Dragons. Blair does a lot of the dirty work and isn't always making a tackle but finds a way to help out tacklers - that third-man in/flopper role. The fact that he did that while playing 51 minutes (same as Andrew McCullough), making 119 metres and squeezing four off-loads out gives the Broncos a nice edge in the forwards.
Ava Seumanufagai - During the middle stages of the season, Sauaso Sue was getting all the love but Seamanufagai has taken over now with consistent performance. Against the Knights, Seamanufagai came off the bench to play big minutes (51, same as Blair) and he also made the most metres of any Tigers forward with 94 metres.
Elijah Taylor - The only Kiwi who is more about defence - that's Taylor's niche and with 62 tackles in 80 minnutes against the Warriors, Taylor showed that he's one of the best workhorses in the game.
Tupou Sopoaga - Another solid showing from Sopoaga as he got a nice little spell off the bench with plenty of impact as he made 67 metres and two off-loads in 22 minutes.
Charlie Gubb - Busy, the Gubbsta is always busy on the field whether he's making desperate tackles, taking a carry or just serving up a try-assisting off-load.
Roger Tuvasa-Sheck - A try, 215 metres, a try assist, four off-loads and 12 bloody broken tackles ... 12!
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves - A steamrolling try boosted Waerea-Hargreaves' tackle bust numbers but you can't argue with his 138 metres off 12 carries.
Manu Ma'u - Once again Ma'u got through 80 minutes and had plenty of impact in that game time with over 100 metres and five tackle busts. Ma'u has been one of the best low key performers for the Eels all season long and despite the Eels' fortunes, Ma'u has remained productive.
Steve Matai - Jamie Lyon is in vintage form and it's hard to not say the same about Matai who continues to be a premier centre in the NRL. He scored a try against the Raiders and ran for 127 metres with three tackle busts ... all while sporting a sore beak.
Ligi Sao - Who ran for the most metres of any Manly forward? Mr Sao, with 127 metres.
Greg Eastwood - Two tries for the big lad from Manurewa, but trying to predict what Des Hasler will do with Eastwood come finals time is hard to do as it is with a few other Bulldogs players. Eastwood only played 43 minutes against the Titans (great efficiency) and has hovered around that mark all season, but I get the feeling he could get more minutes as we get down to crunch time. In a pack of giants, he's a small lad despite being the big lad from Manurewa and his quick feet could be crucial.
Curtis Rona - A double and he's back at it.
Matt Duffie - A double ... his 2nd double in a row.
Jesse Bromwich - Another lad who is back at it after a few quiet weeks by his standard (which is like Tuivasa-Sheck only running 100 metres). Bromwich scored a try which is always a bonus but his numbers were his regular dosage of 151 metres, three tackle busts and an off-load. If he's firing up for the finals, then watch out.
Stocks Down
Mathew Wright - It was an unusually quiet night for Wright who consistently churns out quality performances. Wright failed to pass 100 metres as he had the least carries of any outside back from either the Cowboys or the Rabbitohs.
Issac Luke - A quality player but Luke once again finds himself in trouble with the judiciary. It's hard to argue that Luke is a great buy for the Warriors next season, but given how regularly Luke is suspended, they will be relying on Thomas Leuluai to play plenty of minutes as well.
Simon Mannering - The Warriors' skipper wasn't horrible but he missed four tackles and the team that he is leading do look horrible. At some stage the way the team are performing and the lack of inspiration they are playing with has to reflect on the captain and right now, things don't look great for Mannering.